The Edinburgh-Sutherland Association
was instituted in 1866. It is a registered charity, and its objectives
are to afford assistance to necessitous and deserving people,
especially natives of Sutherland; stimulate and further the education
of the rising generation of the county; and uphold and foster
the art, literature, music, culture and language of the county.

The list of association members
over the years reads like a Whos Who of Sutherland exiles.
Donald W Cameron (Melness), past secretary and vice-president,
provides the following info:

At the turn of the last century,
the association boasted numerous members from the world of literature.
Indeed, it led the way to the formation of the Scottish History
Society.
Over the years, a tremendous number of papers and pamphlets,
on diverse subjects have been submitted to the association. It
published books, the first being an unabridged edition of The
Tour of Dr Richard Pococke through Sutherland and Caithness in
1760. The introduction and notes were by Daniel W Kemp. Though
not a native of the county, he had a residence at Rosehall and
was a stalwart of the association writing innumerable books on
Sutherland. Other contributors at the time included the Rev Adam
Gunn (Durness), Hew Morrison (Torrisdale, Skerray), and John
Mackay (Kingston, Glasgow).

Members also did much for education
at the time. For example, James Macdonald, WS, on behalf of the
association, was instrumental in organising the examinations
for school prizes throughout Sutherland. This work, combined
with the availability of regular bursary funds from the association,
was a real success in assisting with the advancement of scholars.

The association is one of a number
of Highland associations. Others include the Glasgow Sutherland
Association and The Brusters.

The Glasgow Sutherlandshire Association
was instituted 1857. A serious break occurred in 1895 over the
Land League question, which divided the members into two rival
societies, so the County of Sutherland Association (Glasgow)
was established. There was rumour at the time that this was prompted
by a north coast/west coast split. However, sense prevailed in
1910, and the two were amalgamated under the chairmanship of
Alexander Bruce (Clyne). The Edinburgh Sutherland Association
has enjoyed healthy rivalry with its counterpart in Glasgow over
the years, including curling and golf competitions. However,
such competitions have not been held in recent years.

The Brusters is an organisation
of ten Sutherland men, either have been born there or connected
with the county through their ancestors, who met originally in
the Blythswood Hotel on the first Saturday of the month (except
July and August) and always after the Glasgow Annual Gathering.
They took pride in contributing in various ways to the well being
of Sutherland, at the same time being members of the Edinburgh
or Glasgow Associations. Today, the Brusters are still active,
and the Edinburgh Sutherland Assocations James Maclean
is the senior member, having joined in 1960.

Recent association recruit, Andrew
Mackenzie, a young Stoer-born solicitor in the Scottish Government,
said: The Edinburgh Sutherland Association donates money
to worthy causes in Sutherland every year. We would like to donate
more, so I hope that more people from Sutherland will join our
association, and attend our events, which we are keen to expand
beyond the annual ceilidh, so that we can raise more money for
such causes. We have recently set up a Facebook page, and are
developing a website, in order to encourage more people to get
involved in the association.

Life membership is £20
and annual membership is £3. It is open to natives of Sutherland
and their relatives. Cheques should be sent to Anne Macintosh,
The Treasurer, Edinburgh Sutherland Association, 28 Mayshade
Road, Loanhead, Midlothian EH20 9HJ. Associate membership is
open to others with an interest, and such persons should apply
to the same address for the consideration of the committee.

The Annual General Meeting of
the Edinburgh Sutherland Association was held on 31 May 2010.
Sandra James (Crask) was re-elected as president, Bill Manson
was elected as general secretary, and Anne Macintosh (Skerray)
was re-elected as treasurer. James Maclean (Elphin) is the honorary
president. Willie Macintosh (Skerray) and Eleanor Mackay were
re-elected to the committee, with Andrew Mackenzie (Stoer) and
Elise Sutherland (Brora) being elected to the committee for the
first time.

The president, in her remarks,
welcomed the influx of a number of younger members to the association,
and thanked Andrew Mackenzie for his efforts to encourage new
members. She also reported the success of the associations
annual ceilidh dance, which was held on February 19 in the Braid
Hills Hotel in Edinburgh, and took the opportunity to praise
the band, and the singers, Andrew Mackenzie and Joan Mackay (Skerray).

An events sub-committee was established.
Andrew Mackenzie, Anne Macintosh, Willie Macintosh, Shiona Mackay,
Elise Sutherland and Matthew Williams (Spinningdale) will consider
the possibility of further social events. A sub-committee was
also set up to consider the Associations Constitution and
Rules. Andrew Mackenzie, Bill Manson and Elise Sutherland will
take this forward.

It was agreed that the association
would make donations to Feis Chataibh, the Macmillan Nursing
Service in the Lawson Memorial Hospital, and Cala Sona, Melness.
Contact Andrew Mackenzie on 07740379196 or e-mail apmackenzie23
@hotmail.com. To view their activities on Facebook, enter Edinburgh-Sutherland
Assocation in the Google search engine and for Twitter, http://twitter.com/sutherlanders,
which will take you straight to the page.